Yesterday (19 November) BAVO’s Community Navigator team received a visit from Welsh Government and local health care officials.
The cohort included Nicola Evans, Head of Health Inequalities and Healthy Communities; Jonathan Morgan, Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board; Krysia Groves, who is working on the core competencies for the national framework of social prescribing and Cllr. Jane Gebbie, Deputy Leader for Bridgend County Borough Council, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board.
The visit gave our Community Navigator team the opportunity to showcase the impactful work they do, visiting various community groups and projects such as the Squirrel’s Nest, a Men’s Shed based in Tondu.
Cllr. Jane Gebbie labelled the Squirrel’s Nest as “absolutely inspirational”, describing it as a “caring, welcoming, warm space” where people have the opportunity to “develop and nurture themselves”.
In addition, Jonathan Morgan praised the Squirrel’s Nest for its “fantastic job” in helping people improve their wellbeing in a way that is “practical, supportive and focused on their wellbeing needs”.
The next stop took the group to Wyndham Boys and Girls Club where there was an opportunity to meet members of Mental Health Matters Wales’ Wellbeing Hub and Tanio’s Breathing Spaces.
They had the chance to sit and talk to members informally on a one-to-one basis, with participants giving insight into the reasons they attend the groups and exactly how going along has been key to supporting their mental health and wellbeing.
Jonathan Morgan described the visit as a “real privilege” and relished the opportunity to spend time with the groups and see the impact they have on so many people’s lives.
As well as visiting these community groups, Bridgend Food Bank opened its doors, giving them a glimpse behind the scenes at their facility whilst explaining the referral process and the measures they take to help people besides providing emergency food, such as working with Citizen’s Advice and signposting to other services.
This visit not only highlighted the incredible work done by the foodbank, but also the huge demand put on foodbanks due to issues such as the cost-of-living crisis.
Overall, the visit was a huge success, with Nicola Evans stating that “seeing the work that’s being done really brings to life what we’re trying to achieve through the framework for social prescribing and it shows you the value of working together and how it can change people’s lives”.
